Sunday morning dawned, and the three of us girls got ready for church. As my worship music played in the background, I put on my light layer of makeup and thought more about Darcy and George, still trying to sort out my thoughts on their situation.

I didn't respond to George after he sent his last name. I didn't know what to say to start a conversation that didn't sound stupid, too in-depth, immature, or too flirty. Much to my younger sister's chagrin, I have never been good with texting guys. It's most likely a factor as to why I'm still single.

By the time we got to church, I had prayed my irritation down and reminded myself we are all broken individuals in need of a savior. In God's eyes, we are all worthy of punishment for our sins, yet he loved us and sent Jesus to save us. Darcy was a creation of God, no matter how flawed, and if he was at church, I could be civil to him.

Shortly after we entered and started greeting people in the foyer, Charles and Darcy came through the doors. Caroline didn't follow, and I relaxed a bit; at least I wouldn't have to deal with her. Jane smiled at Charles and hugged him, then I followed, greeting him with a broad smile and a side hug.

Darcy and I exchanged a nod of acknowledgment, and I grimaced a smile, "Howdy."

He stared at me for a few moments before slowly responding, "Good morning."

I decided I had hit my interaction limit of being around the jealous and awful Darcy for the morning. How could he have treated George so badly after helping us with the garden? It didn't make sense.

Unless Charles blackmailed him somehow into helping, that's more likely.

"Enjoy the service," I said as I took one last look at the pair of well-dressed men and Jane standing beside Charles, chatting.

I turned right as Mom came over and tittered about Charles and how happy she was to see him again. She ignored Darcy, much like I did.

As soon as I was a few steps away, I was caught off guard by Boris Collins in my face and his effusive greeting. "It is a beautiful morning. How are you this morning? It is a lovely day, if a bit humid, but I suppose that is expected for this part of Texas. Tell me, do you know what the pastor will be preaching today? What is the music like? Did you have a pleasant night's sleep? I did. The mattress your mother has for me is wonderful. I have been getting better sleep here than I am used to. It is quite a blessing."

He paused, and I managed the barest hint of a smile.

"Hello, have you told Charlotte good morning yet?" I couldn't stand the man and tried to pass him off to Charlotte.

He gave me a toothy grin, "How kind of you to make sure I interact with those whom I have made the acquaintance of. It does you credit Ms. Bennet. May I call you Lizzy yet?'

I felt a hand grip my shoulder, and my mother's perfume filled my nostrils, "Of course you can, Boris! Lizzy can be such a tease. She appreciates manners, and I am sure she was going to see how long you would keep calling her Ms. Bennet. Truly, Ms. isn't a title she should be proud of. Lizzy would like to be a Mrs. Isn't that right?"

I untangled myself from my mom's clutches, "Mrs. would be nice if it was to a man of my choosing. Excuse me."

Making my way to our seats, I sat down my Bible and journal, then greeted the rest of my family and other friends. When the service started, the seat to my left was empty. Jane, Charles, and Darcy were to the right of me. The rest of my family were on the row of chairs behind me.

While singing the first song I knew by heart, I heard a shuffling by me and found Boris standing beside me. I looked over my shoulder at my mom, and she smirked. I sighed and concentrated on the song, closing my eyes.

As I took notes during the service, Boris looked at my journal, making hums of approval, and nodded his head in agreement at whatever I wrote. It was disconcerting. I tried to focus on the sermon and gaining knowledge, but it made me self-conscious with him peeking over at anything I wrote.

With God's help, I survived basic training and months in Afghanistan. He'll help me handle a nosy guy, an overbearing mother, and someone with a superiority complex.

When we were dismissed, Boris turned to me, "You take excellent notes, Lizzy. It is a very admirable quality. I will be purchasing a journal so I can do the same. Tell me, do you also journal at the end of the day? I have heard on podcasts that it is a good way to unwind and relax."

"Sometimes. What do you do to unwind?"

I will be polite. I am a Southern lady.

"That depends. Sometimes, I go on a long walk, practice yoga, do breathing exercises, binge a TV show, or do some online shopping. I find that the outcome of my day impacts what I feel like doing."

I nodded, schooling my features to not let my distaste show. Boris was relatively close to being as beta of a male as I could find.

Unpopular opinion: yoga isn't an attractive activity for a guy. There are a lot more masculine things they could do. But that is a personal opinion.

"Of course," I mustered, "each day has its difficulties, and you have to respond to each in a certain way."

"Exactly. How intuitive you are, Lizzy."

I ignored his use of my name again, "Not at all. Have a good afternoon. I'm going to tell a few other people bye."

"Sure, sure. I am certain I will see you again this week."

I turned from Boris in dismay, realizing my mom would most likely invite him to family lunch on Tuesday. I waved at Charles and Darcy down the row, "See y'all later at the tennis courts."

Charles smiled as he picked up his Bible from the seat, "I'm looking forward to it. Enjoy your afternoon."

Darcy gave me a nod, and after a quick goodbye to Jane, I detached myself from the group. Jane and Charles were going to lunch together, and I highly doubted she would be home before I left for Mrs. Bell's.

Sure enough, Jane hadn't returned by 2:50 when I slid into my car. Life360 said she was at a nice restaurant, hopefully enjoying her time. I honestly could see her and Charles making it.

Right before three, I pulled up to Mrs. Bell's sprawling, quintessential southern home a few blocks from Netherfield. As I slid out of the car, she appeared on her front porch, her white hair tastefully styled and an airy but most likely expensive dress on her slender frame. She gave me a generous smile as I approached and stepped forward to wrap me in her arms. Mrs. Bell was one of the best huggers I knew.

"Come on in, Lizzy," She took her time with everyone and never seemed to be in a rush. I only wished I could be half as classy and sophisticated as her.

We walked into the cool house, and I surveyed it with a contented smile. Mrs. Bell was the definition of a world traveler. Her home had furniture, pictures, and wall hangings from all over the globe put together tastefully. Her stories left me enraptured and wanting to travel to more countries. Since her beloved and wealthy husband died, she had a group of girlfriends that she had traveled the world with when she wasn't involved in her charity work.

Mrs. Bell had one of the best backyards in the town, and we sat on her back porch, complete with wicker chairs and a blue-painted ceiling, looking out at her manicured plants of all shapes and sizes. It took a special person who could keep things growing in the Texas heat.

She pulled a record from its case and put it on the player. Soon, the sound of old hymns cut through the slightly muggy air as she handed me a sweet, iced tea.

"Now, sit right down and tell me everything. I saw you in that magazine, you know."

I choked on my tea and coughed, asking in horror, "You did? Where?"

"Yes, ma'am. At HEB. I was in line to check out my groceries to make a lemon meringue pie for the Harris family. You know how they just had a new precious baby girl, so I had to run and get the ingredients. Anyways, they were putting those magazines out, and I saw your face on it and Lordie! I knew if your mother or any of her gossiping cronies got ahold of the magazines, there would be hell to pay, you wouldn't have any calm, and they would have your wedding planned within the week. So, I bought every single one. Then I went to Walmart, and they didn't have them out, so I had them call me as soon as they put theirs on display, and I went and bought all of theirs. They are stacked up in the house if you want to take some. I can't do anything about the stuff online. You have to expect that to come out at some point, but I did my best."

I stared at her in wonder, "That's why I never had the local fallout. I kept waiting for the floor to drop. Thank you so much, Mrs. Bell." My heart swelled with gratitude for the woman sitting beside me. "You have to let me pay you back!"

"Oh, tush. You know I have enough money to pay for a few magazines."

I sighed and smiled at the blue ceiling porch, knowing arguing would be futile. Ms. Bell was a big-hearted woman with a large wallet and wouldn't take no for an answer.

She laced her fingers together and settled back into her chair, "Now tell me about your young man, Mr. William Darcy. I've researched him, and it seems the two of you would make quite the pair."

I hated having to burst her bubble. She wanted me to get married and have babies so she could have more adopted grandchildren.

"It's not like that."

She raised a brow, "The pictures say otherwise."

"Trust me; the picture was an accident. Despite what I am sure Darcy's PR team says, he's an extremely irritating and condescending man who has done some sketchy stuff."

Mrs. Bell hummed, "Breaking the law sketchy, or some people just don't like him and make up stories because they are jealous of how wealthy he is?"

"I have heard a firsthand account of how Darcy's actions ruined the course of someone's life."

"But did they deserve it? Surely someone with William Darcy's level of upbringing and education would recognize that he must consider the repercussions of doing something that would negatively impact someone's life."

"I'm sure he's an elite involved in all the awful things they do to try to manipulate the world to their whims."

"Lizzy, you don't know that. I would like to make my own decision about him. When he was at the Merytown Charity Gala, I didn't know he would have an impact on you, so I didn't see the need to introduce myself."

"You will be invited to the Netherfield party in a few weeks. You can meet his antisocial self there. Assuming Darcy is still in town and comes out of his room for it."

"I look forward to it. I will pray for William and maybe smack him upside the head if he needs it."

In between sips of tea, I told her about the Netherfield experience, including the Instagram follow request and our back-and-forth about authors and books. I shared about the night at the restaurant, him handing me up into the carriage, avoiding me, our heated exchanges, helping with the garden, and hardly talking, yet staring at me.

"But what has he done against you? Are you sure you don't like this young man?"

"Mrs. Bell, I'm positive I despise him. He is probably the last man in the world I would ever marry."

"Okay, dear, it's just that you talked about him pretty much this entire time. Despise, love, hate, yaya. What is the underlying thing? Passion. Passion makes for fun in marriage." She nodded at me with a sly smirk, and I let out a small laugh at the aging lady who had offered me so much wisdom over the years from her well-lived life.

"Besides, surely if he was in a fraternity with Andrew Richards and they are still in touch and are friends, and if Charles is friends with him, there must be something you are missing. After all, when have you ever heard something bad about Andrew Richards?"

I groaned in frustration at her good logic, "He is their lapse in judgment of friends. Maybe he gives really good presents. Like an entire mansion, and they are just in it for the benefit of being associated with his richness."

"Lizzy, you are doing it again."

"Making assumptions without knowing the person? You know it." I raised my glass in a fake cheer. "Oh, and I have to play tennis with him tonight. We are doing doubles against Jane and Charles."

"Really? How interesting. Tell me how he acts being on a team with you."

"I imagine he will ignore me the whole time and not talk once. Communication is not his strong suit."

Mrs. Bell gave a little laugh and shook her head, taking in her garden, then turned back to me with a light in her eyes, "No one can ignore you; you light up every room you enter. A man would learn how to communicate well for you."

"Alright, that's enough."

We chatted for a few more minutes; then, it was time for me to head home to finish a few things before tennis. As we stood outside my car, Mrs. Bell grabbed my hands and said her special goodbye, "Lizzy, live your life. Remember Tolkien's quote, 'All we have to do is decide what to do with the time given us."

I hugged her, "I love you. Thank you so much for listening to me prattle on about a stupid guy."

She patted my hand, "I don't think that is how I would classify him, but I love you too."

Later, in the country club's locker room, I changed into my white, classy tennis outfit, stewing over Darcy's treatment of Wickham once again.

Jane took a mirror picture of us, and we headed out to the guys. We stashed our stuff in the lockers, grabbed our rackets, and walked out from the cool air conditioning into the heat. Surprisingly, Caroline had stayed back. I guess it had something to do with the muggy heat. We would most certainly be dripping sweat by the end.

"Hello!" Charles called out, waving from one of the courts. We made our way over to him, rackets in hand.

I might have been beyond ticked with Darcy, but I could still admit he made a nice image with his tan physique heightened by the standard white tennis attire. Ugh

Jane jogged over to Charles once we were on the court, and they conferred close to each other to determine their strategy and probably whisper little compliments to each other.

I warily approached Darcy, who was waiting for me on the other side of the net. He nodded when I crossed the white line to acknowledge my presence.

The Bible says to love your enemies.

I would be civil to him if it killed me.

"Good evening, Darcy."

"Hello, Ms. Bennet."

"Are you ready for a game of tennis?"

He raised an eyebrow, "Are you?"

Breathe in, breathe out.

"Charles and Jane have an advantage over us."

"Which is?"

"Trust."

He gave me an assessing look, "I do not know your skill level, but I can hold my own on a tennis court. Whether or not I trust my partner."

I shrugged at him, "We'll see. Let's get started."

Five minutes into the game, there was no doubt Darcy had power to spare and plenty of technique, but he wasn't a team player. He kept trying to play the entire side, hardly letting me hit the balls meant for me, even though I was competent.

"For you being supposedly such a good player, you aren't showing it in this match," I said as Charles sprinted for the ball on the other side of the court.

He grumbled something that suspiciously sounded like, "Well, how am I supposed to focus with you in front of me?"

Can he not keep his insults contained to himself?

The ball returned our way, and I gave the racket a practiced swing, easily connecting with the green ball and sending it over the net. I glanced back at Darcy, "Look, just let me play."

A muscle ticked in his jaw, but Darcy nodded nonetheless and didn't try to interfere with the balls meant for me. My distaste for him and the situation came out as extra aggression on the court, and I played the most intensely I had in my life.

During a water break after the first match, which we lost, we stalked up to each other by the fence, out of breath.

Darcy picked up his water bottle. "It appears you either aren't very good compared to your sister, or something has you distracted."

Rude.

I sipped my ice-cold water, "Maybe I don't want to be here right now."

"Have a hot date with someone else?"

"Perhaps." I shrugged and wiped the sweat off my forehead.

Darcy went rigid, "If it has anything to do with George Wickham, I heavily caution you against him."

"Why would I take your advice?"

"Please trust me. George Wickham is not a good man. Have nothing to do with him."

Jane and Charles headed back to their spots on the court, so after another swig, we did, too. Darcy served the ball, and Jane hit it into my territory.

"He has been so unfortunate to lose your friendship," I called, whacking the ball extra hard for emphasis. Charles dove for it but missed, scoring us a point.

I turned back to Darcy and raised my eyebrow, awaiting his response.

"Oh, yes. His misfortune has been great indeed," Darcy said in a tight voice.

I turned back to the court and prepared for the ball, stewing over his response. "You're mocking George?"

A few moments later, when Darcy had the ball in hand to serve, he jogged up to me, fury in his eyes but his voice dead calm. "I'm certain you do not have the full story."

I waved my racket, "Well, enlighten me." I spat at him.

He ignored my request, backing away to serve the ball with deliberate precision.

After a few more hits, I called back to Darcy, "Well, if you don't tell me anything, I will just have to believe him."

"Whatever he told you is probably a lie."

"Then tell me your side."

"No."

I didn't say another word and instead focused on doing my best in tennis. I was too competitive to let Jane win because I was having a dispute with the large man behind me. Darcy never had a problem with silence, and that continued for our match, which we somehow won. We had a silent water break, eyeing each other but not saying a single one of our less-than-pleasant thoughts. We finished the game with Darcy and I winning two out of three matches. I didn't feel nearly as proud as I thought I would be. Yes, we won, but my partner was Darcy.

I gave him a wave with my racket, my legs slightly shaky, "Good job. Bye."

Darcy approached me with a nod before I could escape the court. He stuck out his hand for a handshake.

Oh, right, the courtesy of tennis.

I gave him a firm handshake. Somehow, his hands weren't slick with sweat. Couldn't this man have a problem with obnoxiously sweating or something to make him less physically attractive?

"Good game, Ms. Bennet."

When Darcy let go, he walked over to Charles and Jane, shook their hands, then exited. I stood and watched the tall man do his thing to be the perfect little prick. Then I went to Jane and Charles once he left the court.

Jane grabbed me by the arm and pulled me away from Charles, "Lizzy, what was that? I could hear you yelling at him from my side of the court."

I wiped the sweat off my face, "Sorry if I disturbed all your accidental arm brushing with Charles while we were fighting."

She blushed, and I felt bad for my comment, "Look, Jane, I'm sorry, I took my anger out on you. I'm happy you had a good night. I simply could have enjoyed it better if I was at home. Anywhere away from Darcy."